A little dilemma...

[parrotqueen]

Okay, so this is how it all started.

We had a family meeting on a Saturday morning, on got on the subject of creating our life now that we're settled in the new house. We started to talk about things that we've always wanted to do, and wrote some down. One of the things at the top of our list was to go see the ocean.

The next morning, Dad got a call from work stating that they wanted him to go to San Diego California for a client. We all were talking about how we were going to miss him, and we remembered the subject we were talking about the morning before. So, an idea came to us. Perhaps we could all go there together, and have a vacation there. Dad would hang out with us when work was over, and we'd all go do something fun together (like going to the ocean, and/or a zoo).

Here's the dilemma. The birds. What is a mother to do? I have trouble trusting a birdie-sitter, and I will also miss them very much. So, how can I safely take them along? Is there a way that isn't stressful for all of us?

 

[antoinette]

Hi there parrotqueen.....
I have never personally traveled with a bird.
Below is a link I posted for another member, he found it most helpful.

Traveling with Your Bird - Birds

Pray all goes well, be safe

 

[birdcrazy]

I have traveled with the birds and as the conures cages can't come along it is always stressful on them. However my teil does just fine and loves it! She used to go back and forth with us every weekend during a long distance move. The main concern is where will you stay on your trip. If you have a trailor or something this could be convenient. However, hotels often have a pet limit and aren't very bird friendly. Plus you have to leave your babies unsupervised while you're out sightseeing. I reccomend having a trusted friend come in everyday to check on things. Or leaving them at your avian vet if they board. Noone's going to take care of them and love them like you do, but as long as their basiv needs are being met and they are seeing a friendly face every day go have fun and enjoy your vacation. Stop at a fun parrot store and bring something home to show them how much you missed them

 

[DustyDusky]

I bring Dusty along on camping trips the family goes on. We stay in an RV. Dusty seems to love it. I put him in a smaller cage (probably to small for him) but he only sleeps in it on travels. The rest of the time he is outside the cage with me. I keep Dusty in the cage while we are driving to our destination. I leave his cage next to a window so he can sight-see. He seems to love to watch where we are going. I generally sit next to him and talk to him during our travels.

 

[parrotqueen]

Thank you everyone for the help and support. Antoinette, the link was so helpful. Thanks! I will be sure to buy a travel cage. Although, maybe I can keep them in the cage they already have? It's a very convenient cage, as I can easily remove the legs. It seemed to fit just fine in the car when we moved in our new house, I think we can do that again.

My family is trying to reassure me that getting a birdsitter is really okay, and that I can talk to their previous customers. I still have a few 'what ifs' that may just be plain silly, but they still need to be addressed. I am looking forward to talking to a customer.

 

[antoinette]

I agree, let them travel in a cage they are familiar with.
Just follow your gut feeling......
No "what ifs" are plain and silly, you have precious feathered friends to consider.
Good luck

 

[Spiritbird]

Hi Queen: Often the breeder you got your bird from will be a birdsitter. Mine does it for a living. People bring their birds to her home. She has lots of cages and takes really good care of them. Have fun on the trip by the way with or without the birds.

 

[parrotqueen]

Thanks SB, but unfortunately I got them from an ad on craigslist. I do not have the woman's email address anymore, and she's even further away from my house now. Besides, she didn't take very good care of the boys when she had them anyway. I think that they were on a budget, but still. She could have tried harder. They were being fed a 90% seed-based diet with a side of lettuce, not very nutritious if you ask me.

Anyway, I have to go with a hired birdsitter. I hope that there are some good reviews out there...

 

[Auggie's Dad]

How long will you be gone for?

Experienced bird sitters can be great. Just make sure they're introduced to the birds first.

 

[parrotqueen]

I'm not exactly sure how long we will be gone, and we're not even sure if where going with my dad on the trip or not. I still have about a month to get it all figured out. I will tell you when I find out.